<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-wont-allow-un-sanctions-monitoring-team-access-to-hafiz-saeed-reports-30351" target="_blank">Pakistan won&#39;t allow UN sanctions monitoring team access to Hafiz Saeed: Reports</a></p>

<p>The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/preview/article/29908" target="_blank">United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions&nbsp;</a>monitoring team won&#39;t be allowed a direct access to 26/11 Mumbai terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed or his entities, according to a report in a Pakistan media daily.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/taste-of-india-pm-modis-kitchen-carrying-1000-kg-masala-to-davos-30355" target="_blank">Taste of India: PM Modi&#39;s kitchen carrying 1,000 kg masala to Davos</a></p>

<p>PM Modi prefers all kinds of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-meet-swiss-president-berset-today-at-davos-30341">food, provided it is vegetarian</a>, the chief chef accompanying the prime minister at Davos said today. A group of 32 chefs including&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/look-forward-to-first-visit-at-world-economic-forum-pm-modi-30319">managers catering to Indian&nbsp;</a><em><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/look-forward-to-first-visit-at-world-economic-forum-pm-modi-30319">adda</a></em><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/look-forward-to-first-visit-at-world-economic-forum-pm-modi-30319">&nbsp;</a>and India reception will be available for the Indian delegation during the World Economic Forum at Davos.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/prasoon-joshi-to-get-zed-plus-security-during-jaipur-lit-festival-30364" target="_blank">Padmaavat</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/prasoon-joshi-to-get-zed-plus-security-during-jaipur-lit-festival-30364" target="_blank"> row: Prasoon Joshi to get Z+ security during Jaipur Lit Festival</a></p>

<p>Censor board chief Prasoon Joshi will be provided with zed plus security when he visits Jaipur for the Jaipur Literature Festival.&nbsp; &quot;Required protection will be provided to Joshi from the state government, we are committed to maintain law and order in the state,&quot; home minister Gulab Chand Kataria told a daily</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/hold-on-iphone-x-may-soon-be-discontinued-30352" target="_blank">Hold on, iPhone X may soon be discontinued?</a></p>

<p>You may soon see stores without the iPhone X. This is because of the low sales of the highly-anticipated Apple phone.&nbsp;Apple and KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kua has revealed that the sales were seriously dropping and are expected to reach just around 18 million units in the first quarter of 2018.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-world-economic-forum-pm-modi-arrives-in-zurich-set-to-land-in-davos-shortly-30369" target="_blank">Live World Economic Forum: PM Modi arrives in Zurich, set to land in Davos shortly</a></p>

<p>PM Modi will be meeting the Swiss President Alain Berset as he arrives in Davos, after that a welcome reception for the Indian prime minister will be held after his talks with the Swiss president.</p>


Pakistan won't allow UN sanctions monitoring team access to Hafiz Saeed: Reports The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions monitoring team won't be allowed a direct access to 26/11 Mumbai terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed or his entities, according to a report in a Pakistan media daily. Taste of India: PM Modi's kitchen carrying 1,000 kg masala to Davos PM Modi prefers all kinds of food, provided it is vegetarian, the chief chef accompanying the prime minister at Davos said today. A group of 32 chefs including managers catering to Indian adda and India reception will be available for the Indian delegation during the World Economic Forum at Davos. Padmaavat row: Prasoon Joshi to get Z+ security during Jaipur Lit Festival Censor board chief Prasoon Joshi will be provided with zed plus security when he visits Jaipur for the Jaipur Literature Festival. "Required protection will be provided to Joshi from the state government, we are committed to maintain law and order in the state," home minister Gulab Chand Kataria told a daily Hold on, iPhone X may soon be discontinued? You may soon see stores without the iPhone X. This is because of the low sales of the highly-anticipated Apple phone. Apple and KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kua has revealed that the sales were seriously dropping and are expected to reach just around 18 million units in the first quarter of 2018. Live World Economic Forum: PM Modi arrives in Zurich, set to land in Davos shortly PM Modi will be meeting the Swiss President Alain Berset as he arrives in Davos, after that a welcome reception for the Indian prime minister will be held after his talks with the Swiss president.

WION Evening News brief, January 22, 2018

<p>The Financial Secrecy Index released on January 30, 2018, by the UK-based Tax Justice Network ranked India at 32 indicating its financial secrecy and secrecy jurisdiction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Switzerland and the United States have been ranked at number one and two respectively.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Financial Secrecy Index &mdash; 2018 Results (Others)</p>
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<p>The Financial Secrecy Index ranks jurisdictions according to their secrecy and the scale of their offshore financial activities. It is a tool for understanding global financial secrecy, tax havens or secrecy jurisdictions, and illicit financial flows or capital flight.</p>

<p>Switzerland has retained it&#39;s number one position in 2018 followed by the&nbsp;United States making them the biggest promoters of financial secrecy. Switzerland, a well-known tax haven, was also put under the light in 2015 after information was revealed by ICIJ&rsquo;s 2015 Swiss Leaks investigation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The United States has avoided being a part of initiatives towards curbing financial security and has in turn set up operations that lookout for information on US citizens abroad but does not provide data to foreign countries. The US was ranked third in TJN&rsquo;s 2015 secrecy index.</p>

<p>According to the FSI, an estimated $21 to $32 trillion of private financial wealth is located, untaxed or lightly taxed, in secrecy jurisdictions around the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Moreover, illicit cross-border financial flows have been estimated at $1-1.6 trillion per year: dwarfing the US$135 billion or so in global foreign aid.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Countries such as Switzerland, the US and Singapore that figure on the top 10 list of FSI-2018, are also among the top 10 FDI investors to India. Countries like Germany, Japan, Netherlands, the UK and Cyprus are also investors to India, ranked within the top 25 of the list.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India had a lower secrecy score of 52 and was ranked 32, among the 112 countries. India&#39;s ranking would be of interest to countries where its outbound investments flow to.</p>

<p>The top&nbsp;10 countries include - Switzerland, USA, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Singapore, Luxembourg, Germany, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates [Dubai], and Guernsey.</p>


The Financial Secrecy Index ranks jurisdictions according to their secrecy and the scale of their offshore financial activities

The Financial Secrecy Index released on January 30, 2018, by the UK-based Tax Justice Network ranked India at 32 indicating its financial secrecy and secrecy jurisdiction. Switzerland and the United States have been ranked at number one and two respectively. Financial Secrecy Index — 2018 Results (Others) × The Financial Secrecy Index ranks jurisdictions according to their secrecy and the scale of their offshore financial activities. It is a tool for understanding global financial secrecy, tax havens or secrecy jurisdictions, and illicit financial flows or capital flight. Switzerland has retained it's number one position in 2018 followed by the United States making them the biggest promoters of financial secrecy. Switzerland, a well-known tax haven, was also put under the light in 2015 after information was revealed by ICIJ’s 2015 Swiss Leaks investigation. The United States has avoided being a part of initiatives towards curbing financial security and has in turn set up operations that lookout for information on US citizens abroad but does not provide data to foreign countries. The US was ranked third in TJN’s 2015 secrecy index. According to the FSI, an estimated $21 to $32 trillion of private financial wealth is located, untaxed or lightly taxed, in secrecy jurisdictions around the world. Moreover, illicit cross-border financial flows have been estimated at $1-1.6 trillion per year: dwarfing the US$135 billion or so in global foreign aid. Countries such as Switzerland, the US and Singapore that figure on the top 10 list of FSI-2018, are also among the top 10 FDI investors to India. Countries like Germany, Japan, Netherlands, the UK and Cyprus are also investors to India, ranked within the top 25 of the list. India had a lower secrecy score of 52 and was ranked 32, among the 112 countries. India's ranking would be of interest to countries where its outbound investments flow to. The top 10 countries include - Switzerland, USA, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, Singapore, Luxembourg, Germany, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates [Dubai], and Guernsey.

Switzerland, US top Financial Secrecy Index list, India at 32

<p>Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland hoist the Hopman Cup after defeating Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber of Germany in the mixed doubles final.</p>

<p>Roger Federer paid tribute to the influence of countrywoman and former Hopman Cup team-mate Martina Hingis on his career after guiding Switzerland to their third success in the mixed teams tournament in Perth on Saturday.</p>

<p>&quot;I could look up to her and think, wow, how is she being so mentally strong and so consistent at such a young age,&quot; the Swiss star recalled.</p>

<p>Federer looked primed for his Australian Open title defence when he came from a set down to beat world number four Alexander Zverev in the men&#39;s singles before Angelique Kerber accounted for Belinda Bencic in straight sets to level the tie against Germany.</p>

<p>The Swiss duo then claimed the tournament with a straight-sets win in the deciding mixed doubles.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Take a bow, <a href="https://twitter.com/rogerfederer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rogerfederer</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/BelindaBencic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BelindaBencic</a> ?? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HopmanCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HopmanCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/aN0SoEjqIC">pic.twitter.com/aN0SoEjqIC</a></p>
&mdash; Hopman Cup (@hopmancup) <a href="https://twitter.com/hopmancup/status/949621192452796416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Unbeaten in his three singles matches in the tournament prior to the final, Federer dropped the first set against the 20-year-old Zverev but recovered to win in three sets, 6-7 (4/7), 6-0, 6-2.</p>

<p>Zverev beat Federer at the Hopman Cup last year and came out all guns blazing on Saturday in a high-intensity first set where both players produced moments of brilliance and each holding multiple breakpoints.</p>

<p>Federer&#39;s frustration was obvious as the set slipped away, dropping his racquet after missing an easy volley and then launching a ball towards the roof.</p>

<p>However, he turned the match around by approaching the net more often and using drop shots to catch Zverev napping.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hopman Cup Chaaaaaaampssss! ?????????????????????? ahhhh<a href="https://twitter.com/rogerfederer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@rogerfederer</a> <a href="https://t.co/97kQqt2zxE">pic.twitter.com/97kQqt2zxE</a></p>
&mdash; Belinda Bencic (@BelindaBencic) <a href="https://twitter.com/BelindaBencic/status/949645914871808001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The frustration changed sides of the net as the German copped a code violation for an audible obscenity after disputing the chair umpire&#39;s decision to replay one of his serves during the second set.</p>

<p>Zverev&#39;s serve, and resolve, was broken in the third game of the third set and fittingly it was a Federer drop shot which sealed the win.</p>

<p>Kerber, who is ranked 21st after starting last year at number one, then maintained her perfect singles record during the event to beat Bencic 6-4, 6-1 to level the tie.</p>

<p>Bencic, who was ranked seventh in the world before injuries stalled her progress, started brightly but Kerber soon took control and raced through the second set with breaks in the fourth and sixth games.</p>

<p>That set the scene for the mixed doubles, where Bencic produced some stunning returns on the Zverev serve and teamed superbly with Federer to claim the title with an emphatic 4-3 (5/3), 4-2 win under the Fast4 format.</p>

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Federer remains unbeaten in his three singles matches in the tournament prior to the final as he prepared for his Australian Open title defence

Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic of Switzerland hoist the Hopman Cup after defeating Alexander Zverev and Angelique Kerber of Germany in the mixed doubles final. Roger Federer paid tribute to the influence of countrywoman and former Hopman Cup team-mate Martina Hingis on his career after guiding Switzerland to their third success in the mixed teams tournament in Perth on Saturday. "I could look up to her and think, wow, how is she being so mentally strong and so consistent at such a young age," the Swiss star recalled. Federer looked primed for his Australian Open title defence when he came from a set down to beat world number four Alexander Zverev in the men's singles before Angelique Kerber accounted for Belinda Bencic in straight sets to level the tie against Germany. The Swiss duo then claimed the tournament with a straight-sets win in the deciding mixed doubles. Take a bow, @rogerfederer and @BelindaBencic ?? #HopmanCup pic.twitter.com/aN0SoEjqIC — Hopman Cup (@hopmancup) January 6, 2018 × Unbeaten in his three singles matches in the tournament prior to the final, Federer dropped the first set against the 20-year-old Zverev but recovered to win in three sets, 6-7 (4/7), 6-0, 6-2. Zverev beat Federer at the Hopman Cup last year and came out all guns blazing on Saturday in a high-intensity first set where both players produced moments of brilliance and each holding multiple breakpoints. Federer's frustration was obvious as the set slipped away, dropping his racquet after missing an easy volley and then launching a ball towards the roof. However, he turned the match around by approaching the net more often and using drop shots to catch Zverev napping. Hopman Cup Chaaaaaaampssss! ?????????????????????? ahhhh@rogerfederer pic.twitter.com/97kQqt2zxE — Belinda Bencic (@BelindaBencic) January 6, 2018 × The frustration changed sides of the net as the German copped a code violation for an audible obscenity after disputing the chair umpire's decision to replay one of his serves during the second set. Zverev's serve, and resolve, was broken in the third game of the third set and fittingly it was a Federer drop shot which sealed the win. Kerber, who is ranked 21st after starting last year at number one, then maintained her perfect singles record during the event to beat Bencic 6-4, 6-1 to level the tie. Bencic, who was ranked seventh in the world before injuries stalled her progress, started brightly but Kerber soon took control and raced through the second set with breaks in the fourth and sixth games. That set the scene for the mixed doubles, where Bencic produced some stunning returns on the Zverev serve and teamed superbly with Federer to claim the title with an emphatic 4-3 (5/3), 4-2 win under the Fast4 format.

Tennis: Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic claim Hopman Cup

<p>The newest star of the Khan-Kapoor family <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-taimur-ali-khan-turns-one-12-absolutely-adorable-photos-of-kareena-saifs-baby-27271" target="_blank">Taimur Ali Khan</a> is now in Switzerland, enjoying what looks like his first snowfall in the mountainous country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pictured with his parents Saif Ali Khan Pataudi and Kareena Kapoor Khan, the recently turned one toddler is seen sitting on a&nbsp;sledge in the middle of snow.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Here is the picture shared on Instagram:</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BdQxkHmFx3g/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">New ?? ; Saifeena &amp; Taimur Enjoy their time in their Holiday in Switzerland ???????????? MOST BEAUTIFUL FAMILYYY ???????? &mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;&mdash;- #kareenakapoorkhan #kareenakapoor #bebo #saifeena #taimuralikhan #taimur #saifalikhan #saif #bollywood #switzerland</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kareenabebo_fans/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> ?????SAMA AL-SAQAA ?????</a> (@kareenabebo_fans) on <time datetime="2017-12-28T22:07:37+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Dec 28, 2017 at 2:07pm PST</time></p>
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<p>The blessed-with-good-looks family left for the European country Tuesday after bringing in baby <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-taimur-ali-khan-turns-one-kapoor-family-gathers-at-pataudi-palace-for-celebrations-27238" target="_blank">Taimur&#39;s birthday</a> in style.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The couple celebrated his birthday at Pataudi palace with close family and friends in attendance including Saif&#39;s mother Sharmila Tagore, sister Soha and husband Kunal, Kareena&#39;s parents and sister Karisma with kids and close friends Amrita Arora, Malaika Arora Khan, their kids and the list goes on.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Taimur&#39;s birthday cake. (Instagram)</p>
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<p>Pataudi Palace decorated ahead of Taimur&#39;s birthday (Instagram)</p>
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<p>After a glamorous birthday at the palace which involved tractor ride, horse ride and a forest that Taimur was given in his name, the star couple also threw a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/entertainment-taimur-ali-khan-is-the-star-attraction-at-kapoor-familys-annual-christmas-lunch-27672" target="_blank">Christmas bash</a> at late Shashi Kapoor&#39;s residence. Taimur was the star attention of the party.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>A photo of Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and their baby Taimur that was shared by Karisma Kapoor. (Instagram)</p>
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<p>Pataudi Palace decorated ahead of Taimur&#39;s birthday. (Instagram)</p>
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<p>Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan pose for the media along with their son Taimur ahead of the Christmas lunch at Shashi Kapoor&#39;s residence. (Zee News Network)</p>
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The trio left for the European country on Tuesday after ringing in Taimur's first birthday with family

The newest star of the Khan-Kapoor family Taimur Ali Khan is now in Switzerland, enjoying what looks like his first snowfall in the mountainous country. Pictured with his parents Saif Ali Khan Pataudi and Kareena Kapoor Khan, the recently turned one toddler is seen sitting on a sledge in the middle of snow. Here is the picture shared on Instagram: New ?? ; Saifeena & Taimur Enjoy their time in their Holiday in Switzerland ???????????? MOST BEAUTIFUL FAMILYYY ???????? ———————- #kareenakapoorkhan #kareenakapoor #bebo #saifeena #taimuralikhan #taimur #saifalikhan #saif #bollywood #switzerland A post shared by ?????SAMA AL-SAQAA ????? (@kareenabebo_fans) on Dec 28, 2017 at 2:07pm PST × The blessed-with-good-looks family left for the European country Tuesday after bringing in baby Taimur's birthday in style. The couple celebrated his birthday at Pataudi palace with close family and friends in attendance including Saif's mother Sharmila Tagore, sister Soha and husband Kunal, Kareena's parents and sister Karisma with kids and close friends Amrita Arora, Malaika Arora Khan, their kids and the list goes on. Taimur's birthday cake. (Instagram) × Pataudi Palace decorated ahead of Taimur's birthday (Instagram) × After a glamorous birthday at the palace which involved tractor ride, horse ride and a forest that Taimur was given in his name, the star couple also threw a Christmas bash at late Shashi Kapoor's residence. Taimur was the star attention of the party. A photo of Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and their baby Taimur that was shared by Karisma Kapoor. (Instagram) × Pataudi Palace decorated ahead of Taimur's birthday. (Instagram) × Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan pose for the media along with their son Taimur ahead of the Christmas lunch at Shashi Kapoor's residence. (Zee News Network) ×

In Picture: Taimur enjoys first snowfall in Switzerland with Saif, Kareena

<p>With the New Years approaching, Bollywood celebs can be seen leaving the B-Town for some exotic location to ring in the celebrations.&nbsp;</p>

<p>One such rumoured couple, &quot;Raabta&quot;&nbsp;co-stars Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon were spotted enjoying their holiday in the Alps with friends on December 29.</p>

<p>Sushant took to Instagram to share a picture of them jumping on the snow. He wrote:&nbsp;&quot;And as always, everyone ate too much to jump!! @sharadakarki @tusharjalota @pooj1203 @kritisanon #Dinoo #Guddu Somewhere in #Alps.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

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<p>He had earlier shared a picture of the snow-capped mountains and the view from his room, writing: &quot;In the end, winning is sleeping better.! #aroomwithaview.&quot;&nbsp;It led to everyone speculating whether the actor was in Alps for a film shoot or leisure.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The others in the frame also posted photos from their vacation:&nbsp;</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>The rumoured couple, Sushant and Kriti have been reported to be dating each other for quite some time now. The &quot;Raabta&quot;&nbsp;co-stars have, however, maintained that they are &quot;just good friends&quot;.</p>

<p>In a recent interview with a daily, when Sushant was asked about&nbsp;dating Kriti, he said, &quot;I read about this thing between us, then there were stories about a fight and a break-up and then suddenly, probably because of the Maserati we were back together. They are all very interesting but untrue. We are good friends. She&rsquo;s an engineer and I was studying to be one too before I dropped out. We&rsquo;re both from Delhi, big foodies and like spending time together. Period.&quot;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
When Kriti was asked the same, she responded, &quot;It doesn&#39;t affect our relationship. I don&#39;t see a reason to justify my relationship with Sushant. We know what the truth is. Over a period of time, I have realised that link-ups with co-stars are part and parcel of the industry. I have made peace with it. We often read stuff about us that&#39;s completely baseless. We have always taken it in our stride.&quot;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Sushant will next be seen in Tarun Mansukhani&#39;s &quot;Drive&quot;&nbsp;starring Jacqueline Fernandez, Abhishek Kapoor&#39;s &quot;Kedarnath&quot;&nbsp;with debutant Sara Ali Khan (Saif Ali Khan&#39;s daughter) and Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan&#39;s &quot;Chanda Mama Door Ke&quot;.</p>

<p>It is reported that Kriti will be next seen in Raj &amp; DK&#39;s &quot;Farzi&quot;&nbsp;with Arjun Kapoor.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Sushant and Kriti are rumoured to be dating each other for quite some time now

With the New Years approaching, Bollywood celebs can be seen leaving the B-Town for some exotic location to ring in the celebrations. One such rumoured couple, "Raabta" co-stars Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon were spotted enjoying their holiday in the Alps with friends on December 29. Sushant took to Instagram to share a picture of them jumping on the snow. He wrote: "And as always, everyone ate too much to jump!! @sharadakarki @tusharjalota @pooj1203 @kritisanon #Dinoo #Guddu Somewhere in #Alps." × He had earlier shared a picture of the snow-capped mountains and the view from his room, writing: "In the end, winning is sleeping better.! #aroomwithaview." It led to everyone speculating whether the actor was in Alps for a film shoot or leisure. × The others in the frame also posted photos from their vacation: × × × × × × × The rumoured couple, Sushant and Kriti have been reported to be dating each other for quite some time now. The "Raabta" co-stars have, however, maintained that they are "just good friends". In a recent interview with a daily, when Sushant was asked about dating Kriti, he said, "I read about this thing between us, then there were stories about a fight and a break-up and then suddenly, probably because of the Maserati we were back together. They are all very interesting but untrue. We are good friends. She’s an engineer and I was studying to be one too before I dropped out. We’re both from Delhi, big foodies and like spending time together. Period." When Kriti was asked the same, she responded, "It doesn't affect our relationship. I don't see a reason to justify my relationship with Sushant. We know what the truth is. Over a period of time, I have realised that link-ups with co-stars are part and parcel of the industry. I have made peace with it. We often read stuff about us that's completely baseless. We have always taken it in our stride." Sushant will next be seen in Tarun Mansukhani's "Drive" starring Jacqueline Fernandez, Abhishek Kapoor's "Kedarnath" with debutant Sara Ali Khan (Saif Ali Khan's daughter) and Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan's "Chanda Mama Door Ke". It is reported that Kriti will be next seen in Raj & DK's "Farzi" with Arjun Kapoor.

In Photos: Sushant Singh Rajput, Kriti Sanon cozy in the Alps

<p>The Swiss government has opposed the &#39;nation-wide burqa ban&#39; initiative that was proposed by a committee last September.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The committee, run by a member of the populist right-wing Swiss People&#39;s Party, had previously floated the idea for the creation of a &#39;nation-wide burqa ban&#39; which the Swiss government opposed Wednesday.</p>

<p>Government officials here noted that &quot;it was up to the regions to determine if such a ban was appropriate,&quot; noted AFP.</p>

<p>People in Switzerland will be required to participate in polls determining the final word on the ban. No official date for polling is decided as yet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Swiss government, or the Federal Council, expressed strong views against &quot;women coercion&quot;&nbsp;stating that no female should be &quot;forced&quot; to cover her face.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The government also proposed that no contact with Swiss authorities should be done with &quot;an uncovered face&quot; in order to make the identity of a person knowledgeable.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The burqa ban initiative garnered more than 100,000 signatures and became a topic open for popular vote.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from AFP)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The Swiss government stated that no female should be 'forced' to cover her face

The Swiss government has opposed the 'nation-wide burqa ban' initiative that was proposed by a committee last September. The committee, run by a member of the populist right-wing Swiss People's Party, had previously floated the idea for the creation of a 'nation-wide burqa ban' which the Swiss government opposed Wednesday. Government officials here noted that "it was up to the regions to determine if such a ban was appropriate," noted AFP. People in Switzerland will be required to participate in polls determining the final word on the ban. No official date for polling is decided as yet. Meanwhile, the Swiss government, or the Federal Council, expressed strong views against "women coercion" stating that no female should be "forced" to cover her face. The government also proposed that no contact with Swiss authorities should be done with "an uncovered face" in order to make the identity of a person knowledgeable. The burqa ban initiative garnered more than 100,000 signatures and became a topic open for popular vote. (With inputs from AFP)

Swiss government pushes against 'national burqa ban'

<p>Switzerland, on Wednesday, rejected the request of the exiled leader of Baloch Republican Party (BRP), Brahumdagh Bugti, to seek a political asylum, reports said.</p>

<p>The decision was announced just a week after charging a lifetime entry ban on exiled Baloch leader Mehran Marri, Bugti&#39;s brother-in-law, according to reports by <em>The News</em>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bugti took to Twitter to inform the development.</p>

<p>&quot;After more than seven years of waiting Switzerland has now rejected my application for political asylum,&quot; he tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">After more than seven years of waiting Switzerland has now rejected my application for political asylum.</p>
&mdash; Brahumdagh Bugti (@BBugti) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBugti/status/933375183544553472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>According to reports in <em>The News</em>, the application was rejected because of alleged links with &#39;events of terrorism, violence and militant activities&#39;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He further claimed that &#39;he is the most wanted person in Pakistan&nbsp;while top terrorist like Osama Bin Laden and Hafiz Saeed were being protected by the army,&#39; further urging officials in&nbsp;Switzerland to &quot;consider facts before considering Pakistani allegations against them&quot;.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I am still the most wanted person in Pakistan while top terrorists like Osama Bin laden, Hafiz saeed were being protected &amp; facilitated by the Pakistan Army. Switzerland must consider these facts before considering Pakistani allegations against us.</p>
&mdash; Brahumdagh Bugti (@BBugti) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBugti/status/933387304131055616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The application of the outlawed BRP leader had previously been rejected by the Switzerland immigration authorities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also watch:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/baloch-leader-banned-from-switzeland-6773">Baloch leader banned from Switzerland</a></p>

<p>Bugti had, however, claimed at the beginning of this year that his case is under consideration and there was no set timeframe given by the officials.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was also reported that Bugti had, on September 19, 2016, formally asked the Indian government to grant him an asylum and Indian nationality so that he could live in India and move around the world to campaign against Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The report was later denied by the Indian government and the BRP.</p>

<p>(with inputs from ANI)</p>


The decision was announced just a week after charging a lifetime entry ban on exiled Baloch leader Mehran Marri, Bugati's brother-in-law.?

Switzerland, on Wednesday, rejected the request of the exiled leader of Baloch Republican Party (BRP), Brahumdagh Bugti, to seek a political asylum, reports said. The decision was announced just a week after charging a lifetime entry ban on exiled Baloch leader Mehran Marri, Bugti's brother-in-law, according to reports by The News. Bugti took to Twitter to inform the development. "After more than seven years of waiting Switzerland has now rejected my application for political asylum," he tweeted. After more than seven years of waiting Switzerland has now rejected my application for political asylum. — Brahumdagh Bugti (@BBugti) November 22, 2017 × According to reports in The News, the application was rejected because of alleged links with 'events of terrorism, violence and militant activities'. He further claimed that 'he is the most wanted person in Pakistan while top terrorist like Osama Bin Laden and Hafiz Saeed were being protected by the army,' further urging officials in Switzerland to "consider facts before considering Pakistani allegations against them". I am still the most wanted person in Pakistan while top terrorists like Osama Bin laden, Hafiz saeed were being protected & facilitated by the Pakistan Army. Switzerland must consider these facts before considering Pakistani allegations against us. — Brahumdagh Bugti (@BBugti) November 22, 2017 × The application of the outlawed BRP leader had previously been rejected by the Switzerland immigration authorities. Also watch: Baloch leader banned from Switzerland Bugti had, however, claimed at the beginning of this year that his case is under consideration and there was no set timeframe given by the officials. It was also reported that Bugti had, on September 19, 2016, formally asked the Indian government to grant him an asylum and Indian nationality so that he could live in India and move around the world to campaign against Pakistan. The report was later denied by the Indian government and the BRP. (with inputs from ANI)

Switzerland rejects Baloch leader Brahumdagh Bugti's application for political asylum

<p>A Pakistan defence expert has suggested that the country should consider creating gangs of terrorists and separatists to dismember the United Kingdom and Switzerland for allowing the flagging of &#39; Free Balochistan &#39; posters.</p>

<p>&quot;In retaliation, Should Pakistan also create terrorist/separatist gangs in Pakistan who should work to destroy/dismember UK &amp; Switzerland? (sic),&quot; Zaid Hamid, a Pakistani political commentator and defence expert, said in a tweet.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In retaliation, Should Pakistan also create terrorist/separatist gangs in Pakistan who should work to destroy/dismember UK &amp; Switzerland ? <a href="https://t.co/yEy0BHPHw0">pic.twitter.com/yEy0BHPHw0</a></p>
&mdash; Zaid Hamid (@ZaidZamanHamid) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZaidZamanHamid/status/926765107962527745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He alleged that the UK was hosting the biggest terror network against Pakistan.</p>

<p>&quot;UK is hosting the biggest terror network operating against Pakistan. Altaf Hussain is a British citizen &amp; mass murderer under UK protection,&quot; Hamid tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">UK is hosting the biggest terror network operating against Pakistan. Altaf Hussain is a British citizen &amp; mass murderer under UK protection</p>
&mdash; Zaid Hamid (@ZaidZamanHamid) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZaidZamanHamid/status/926767535147515905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Hamid&#39;s reaction came after London taxis with the words &#39; Free Balochistan &#39; written on both sides were seen plying outside Buckingham Palace in what can be called as a new push by overseas Baloch groups to attract global attention to their cause for independence from Pakistan.</p>

<p>&#39;Free Balochistan&#39; posters embossed on several vehicles running on the road were seen in London this week to highlight human rights violations in Balochistan province.</p>

<p>Pakistan on Friday summoned British High Commissioner Thomas Drew over the emergence of &#39;Free Balochistan&#39; posters, which it said directly attacked its territorial integrity and sovereignty.</p>

<p>A Baloch activist said that Pakistan&#39;s reaction over the posters is a testimony to its suppressive nature, and its aggression to try to curb their rights in the UK.</p>

<p>&quot;Pakistan&#39;s reaction is a testimony to its suppressive nature, aggressively trying to curb our rights in the UK, imagine the situation in Balochistan,&quot; Bhawal Mengal? said in a tweet.</p>

<p>Earlier, similar posters featuring &#39;Free Balochistan&#39; had appeared in Geneva, including on the side of buses, demanding freedom for the separatist Balochistan region of south-west Pakistan.</p>

<p>Pakistan had at that time also summoned Switzerland&#39;s envoy over the display of such posters in Geneva.</p>

<p>The World Baloch Organisation (WBO) had organised a protest in September in front of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva to raise awareness of human rights violations in Balochistan.</p>

<p>Human rights activists, Baloch representatives and allies of the Baloch cause came together during the 36th Session of the UNHRC to protest against gross human rights violations inflicted upon indigenous Baloch people.</p>

<p>For decades in Balochistan, economic exploitation through the plundering of natural resources, and the systematic economic, social and political exclusion of indigenous Baloch people, has become the norm.</p>

<p>In addition to this, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings and an escalating crackdown on freedom of expression are used as covert tools to brutally repress the Baloch peaceful struggle for justice, rights, and equality.</p>

<p>Since the construction of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)has begun, the Baloch have been forcefully cleared, enforcedly disappeared and effectively excluded from the project at all levels - despite plentiful promises made by the Pakistani authorities of development and employment.&nbsp;</p>


A Pakistan defence expert has suggested that the country should consider creating gangs of terrorists and separatists to dismember the United Kingdom and Switzerland for allowing the flagging of ' Free Balochistan ' posters.

A Pakistan defence expert has suggested that the country should consider creating gangs of terrorists and separatists to dismember the United Kingdom and Switzerland for allowing the flagging of ' Free Balochistan ' posters. "In retaliation, Should Pakistan also create terrorist/separatist gangs in Pakistan who should work to destroy/dismember UK & Switzerland? (sic)," Zaid Hamid, a Pakistani political commentator and defence expert, said in a tweet. In retaliation, Should Pakistan also create terrorist/separatist gangs in Pakistan who should work to destroy/dismember UK & Switzerland ? pic.twitter.com/yEy0BHPHw0 — Zaid Hamid (@ZaidZamanHamid) November 4, 2017 × He alleged that the UK was hosting the biggest terror network against Pakistan. "UK is hosting the biggest terror network operating against Pakistan. Altaf Hussain is a British citizen & mass murderer under UK protection," Hamid tweeted. UK is hosting the biggest terror network operating against Pakistan. Altaf Hussain is a British citizen & mass murderer under UK protection — Zaid Hamid (@ZaidZamanHamid) November 4, 2017 × Hamid's reaction came after London taxis with the words ' Free Balochistan ' written on both sides were seen plying outside Buckingham Palace in what can be called as a new push by overseas Baloch groups to attract global attention to their cause for independence from Pakistan. 'Free Balochistan' posters embossed on several vehicles running on the road were seen in London this week to highlight human rights violations in Balochistan province. Pakistan on Friday summoned British High Commissioner Thomas Drew over the emergence of 'Free Balochistan' posters, which it said directly attacked its territorial integrity and sovereignty. A Baloch activist said that Pakistan's reaction over the posters is a testimony to its suppressive nature, and its aggression to try to curb their rights in the UK. "Pakistan's reaction is a testimony to its suppressive nature, aggressively trying to curb our rights in the UK, imagine the situation in Balochistan," Bhawal Mengal? said in a tweet. Earlier, similar posters featuring 'Free Balochistan' had appeared in Geneva, including on the side of buses, demanding freedom for the separatist Balochistan region of south-west Pakistan. Pakistan had at that time also summoned Switzerland's envoy over the display of such posters in Geneva. The World Baloch Organisation (WBO) had organised a protest in September in front of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva to raise awareness of human rights violations in Balochistan. Human rights activists, Baloch representatives and allies of the Baloch cause came together during the 36th Session of the UNHRC to protest against gross human rights violations inflicted upon indigenous Baloch people. For decades in Balochistan, economic exploitation through the plundering of natural resources, and the systematic economic, social and political exclusion of indigenous Baloch people, has become the norm. In addition to this, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings and an escalating crackdown on freedom of expression are used as covert tools to brutally repress the Baloch peaceful struggle for justice, rights, and equality. Since the construction of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)has begun, the Baloch have been forcefully cleared, enforcedly disappeared and effectively excluded from the project at all levels - despite plentiful promises made by the Pakistani authorities of development and employment.

Will destroy UK, Switzerland over emergence of 'Free Balochistan' posters: Pakistan defence  expert

<p>The woman&#39;s shadowed eyes stare out from a black niqab with the poster&#39;s tagline urging Swiss voters to reject &quot;uncontrolled naturalisation.&quot;</p>

<p>But critics of the campaign image distributed across the country ahead of Sunday&#39;s referendum say the poster is really just a brazen appeal to those worried about more Muslims becoming Swiss.</p>

<p>&quot;That is exactly what they are trying to (do)&quot;, said Pius Walker, who heads the Zurich-based advertising agency Walker AG.</p>

<p>&quot;It is a very, very frightening thing that is going on here.&quot;</p>

<p>The issue in Sunday&#39;s vote, the latest in Switzerland&#39;s direct democracy system, is whether the grandchildren of immigrants should be able to benefit from an expedited citizenship process.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The government as well a majority of lawmakers and political parties support the proposal.</p>

<p>They argue that children born in Switzerland, who have a grandparent who was also born in the country or had a residency card, should be able to skip a few steps in the arduous process of securing a Swiss passport.</p>

<p>According to a migration department study, an estimated 25,000 people currently qualify as third generation immigrants, nearly 60 per cent of whom are Italian.</p>

<p>But in campaigning against the measure, the rightwing nationalist Swiss People&#39;s Party (SVP) has made clear that Italians were not its primary concern.</p>

<p>&quot;In one or two generations, who will these third generation foreigners be?&quot; SVP lawmaker Jean-Luc Addor wrote in an opinion piece on the party&#39;s website.</p>

<p>&quot;They will be born of the Arab Spring, they will be from sub-Saharan Africa, the Horn of Africa, Syria or Afghanistan,&quot; he warned.</p>

<p><strong>&#39;An attack on Muslims&#39;</strong></p>

<p>The SVP is not officially responsible for the niqab poster.</p>

<p>It was commissioned by the Committee Against Facilitated Citizenship, which is backed by many senior SVP members, including Addor, the committee&#39;s co-chair.</p>

<p>And SVP members are no strangers to campaigns denounced as discriminatory, notably a successful 2009 initiative to outlaw the construction of new mosque minarets.</p>

<p>Campaigns demonising Muslims are expected from the SVP, but they are not &quot;deemed acceptable&quot; by the Swiss political mainstream, said Sophie Guignard of the Institute of Political Science at the University of Bern.</p>

<p>For most politicians and journalists, the niqab poster amounts to &quot;a violent attack against Muslims,&quot; Guignard told AFP.</p>

<p>But that does not mean it won&#39;t work.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The latest polls from the gfs.bern institute show 66 per cent of people support easier citizenship for third-generation immigrants, with 31 per cent against and three percent undecided.</p>

<p>Polls from the news company Tamedia have it closer, with 55 per cent in favour and 44 per cent against.</p>

<p>The &quot;No&quot; side has however gained about 10 points since polling opened.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And an upset can&#39;t be ruled out, especially with the touchstone issue of Swiss identity and Islam at the centre of the debate.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>The &#39;ad guru&#39;</strong></p>

<p>The niqab poster was created by the Zurich-based agency Goal AG, whose chief Alexander Segert was described by the Financial Times in December as &quot;the advertising guru of Europe&#39;s new right.&quot;</p>

<p>Segert has worked extensively for SVP members as well as the far-right Freedom Party of Austria and is seeking to expand his business to include Germany&#39;s political right, according to the FT.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Among Segert&#39;s earlier Swiss work was the 2009 minaret ban campaign.</p>

<p>He produced a poster with a series of minarets sketched to look like spears protruding from a Swiss flag as a similar niqab-clad woman stared out in the foreground.</p>

<p>For Walker, whose agency has worked for leftwing causes and parties, Goal&#39;s religiously and ethnically charged ads have &quot;basically copied a style&quot; that goes back to the &quot;Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.&quot;</p>

<p>&quot;It&#39;s a very simple trick,&quot; where a nation&#39;s problems are condensed into the image of a supposedly threatening outsider, he explained.</p>

<p>He also expressed regret over the fact that rightwing parties seemed better at using such simple methods than the left.</p>

<p>&quot;Maybe fear is very simple to communicate and hope and pluralism is harder,&quot; Walker told AFP. &quot;But that doesn&#39;t mean it shouldn&#39;t be done.&quot;</p>

<p>(AFP)</p>


The issue in Sunday's vote is whether the grandchildren of immigrants should be able to benefit from an expedited citizenship process

The woman's shadowed eyes stare out from a black niqab with the poster's tagline urging Swiss voters to reject "uncontrolled naturalisation." But critics of the campaign image distributed across the country ahead of Sunday's referendum say the poster is really just a brazen appeal to those worried about more Muslims becoming Swiss. "That is exactly what they are trying to (do)", said Pius Walker, who heads the Zurich-based advertising agency Walker AG. "It is a very, very frightening thing that is going on here." The issue in Sunday's vote, the latest in Switzerland's direct democracy system, is whether the grandchildren of immigrants should be able to benefit from an expedited citizenship process. The government as well a majority of lawmakers and political parties support the proposal. They argue that children born in Switzerland, who have a grandparent who was also born in the country or had a residency card, should be able to skip a few steps in the arduous process of securing a Swiss passport. According to a migration department study, an estimated 25,000 people currently qualify as third generation immigrants, nearly 60 per cent of whom are Italian. But in campaigning against the measure, the rightwing nationalist Swiss People's Party (SVP) has made clear that Italians were not its primary concern. "In one or two generations, who will these third generation foreigners be?" SVP lawmaker Jean-Luc Addor wrote in an opinion piece on the party's website. "They will be born of the Arab Spring, they will be from sub-Saharan Africa, the Horn of Africa, Syria or Afghanistan," he warned. 'An attack on Muslims' The SVP is not officially responsible for the niqab poster. It was commissioned by the Committee Against Facilitated Citizenship, which is backed by many senior SVP members, including Addor, the committee's co-chair. And SVP members are no strangers to campaigns denounced as discriminatory, notably a successful 2009 initiative to outlaw the construction of new mosque minarets. Campaigns demonising Muslims are expected from the SVP, but they are not "deemed acceptable" by the Swiss political mainstream, said Sophie Guignard of the Institute of Political Science at the University of Bern. For most politicians and journalists, the niqab poster amounts to "a violent attack against Muslims," Guignard told AFP. But that does not mean it won't work. The latest polls from the gfs.bern institute show 66 per cent of people support easier citizenship for third-generation immigrants, with 31 per cent against and three percent undecided. Polls from the news company Tamedia have it closer, with 55 per cent in favour and 44 per cent against. The "No" side has however gained about 10 points since polling opened. And an upset can't be ruled out, especially with the touchstone issue of Swiss identity and Islam at the centre of the debate. The 'ad guru' The niqab poster was created by the Zurich-based agency Goal AG, whose chief Alexander Segert was described by the Financial Times in December as "the advertising guru of Europe's new right." Segert has worked extensively for SVP members as well as the far-right Freedom Party of Austria and is seeking to expand his business to include Germany's political right, according to the FT. Among Segert's earlier Swiss work was the 2009 minaret ban campaign. He produced a poster with a series of minarets sketched to look like spears protruding from a Swiss flag as a similar niqab-clad woman stared out in the foreground. For Walker, whose agency has worked for leftwing causes and parties, Goal's religiously and ethnically charged ads have "basically copied a style" that goes back to the "Soviet Union and Nazi Germany." "It's a very simple trick," where a nation's problems are condensed into the image of a supposedly threatening outsider, he explained. He also expressed regret over the fact that rightwing parties seemed better at using such simple methods than the left. "Maybe fear is very simple to communicate and hope and pluralism is harder," Walker told AFP. "But that doesn't mean it shouldn't be done." (AFP)

Anti-Muslim poster clouds Swiss referendum

<p>Poland beat Switzerland 5-4 in a shootout to reach their first European Championship quarter-final, as a riveting clash ended 1-1 after extra time on Saturday, following a brilliant late equaliser by Swiss Xherdan Shaqiri.<br />
<br />
Grezgorz Krychowiak drilled in the winning spot-kick after Granit Xhaka had missed Switzerland&rsquo;s second penalty to send the Polish fans at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium into raptures.<br />
<br />
The Poles will meet Croatia or Portugal, who play later on Saturday, for a berth in the semis.<br />
<br />
Jakub Blaszczykowski had given Poland a 39th-minute lead, before Shaqiri levelled with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 82nd, to send the contest into a dramatic climax.<br />
<br />
&quot;We were prepared for this kind of battle,&quot; Poland coach Adam Nawalka said. &quot;The Swiss are a world class side and it was no surprise that they came storming back in the second half.<br />
<br />
&quot;But the important thing is that my team showed potential after conceding the equaliser. We are mentally prepared for the quarter-final match in Marseille on Thursday.&quot;<br />
<br />
Man of the match Shaqiri, who was superb in the second half and extra time, said the goal meant little after a painful loss.<br />
<br />
&quot;It&#39;s a great disappointment, we could have achieved something very big,&quot; the 24-year old forward told a news conference.<br />
<br />
&quot;It was a beautiful goal and I am always proud to score for my country, but we are out.&quot;<br />
<br />
<strong>Gaping goal</strong></p>

<p>Poland dominated the first half and should have gone ahead inside the first minute, when Arkadiusz Milik sent his shot over a gaping goal, following a calamitous defensive mix-up.<br />
<br />
With striker Robert Lewandowski subdued, the Poles created had to rely on chances created by livewire left winger Kamil Grosicki and the impressive Blaszczykowski on the other flank.<br />
<br />
Switzerland captain Stephan Lichsteiner could not keep up with Grosicki, who fired over the bar from 18 metres after a clever run through the middle.<br />
<br />
Blaszczykowski broke the deadlock with a composed finish from 10 metres after a darting run by Grosicki and a dummy from Milik gave the winger time and space to pick his spot.<br />
<br />
With Shaqiri and striker Haris Seferovic stifled by Poland&rsquo;s rock-solid defence, the Swiss created little in the opening period despite roaring &ldquo;Go Suisse&rdquo; chants by their supporters.<br />
<br />
They came out with renewed purpose in the second half and Shaqiri finally showed a glimpse of his talent with a dazzling solo run and a stinging shot which Lukasz Fabianski parried.<br />
<br />
Blaszczykowski had Yann Sommer at full stretch as the pace increased with Switzerland throwing men forward.<br />
<br />
Shaqiri produced a moment of magic with one of the best goals of the tournament in the 82nd minute, twisting his body in the air to unleash a fierce shot, which gave Fabianski no chance as it went in off the post.<br />
<br />
Galvanised by the goal, Switzerland took the upper hand and dominated extra time, forcing several desperate clearances by a defence which had conceded in only one other match in 2016.<br />
<br />
Substitute Eren Derdiyok missed a sitter for the Swiss when Fabianski kept out his close-range header and they paid the price as a rattled Poland held on to force the shootout.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)</p>


Poland beat Switzerland 5-4 in a shootout to reach their first European Championship quarter-final, as a riveting clash ended 1-1 after extra time on Saturday, following a brilliant late equaliser by Swiss Xherdan Shaqiri. Grezgorz Krychowiak drilled in the winning spot-kick after Granit Xhaka had missed Switzerland’s second penalty to send the Polish fans at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium into raptures. The Poles will meet Croatia or Portugal, who play later on Saturday, for a berth in the semis. Jakub Blaszczykowski had given Poland a 39th-minute lead, before Shaqiri levelled with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 82nd, to send the contest into a dramatic climax. "We were prepared for this kind of battle," Poland coach Adam Nawalka said. "The Swiss are a world class side and it was no surprise that they came storming back in the second half. "But the important thing is that my team showed potential after conceding the equaliser. We are mentally prepared for the quarter-final match in Marseille on Thursday." Man of the match Shaqiri, who was superb in the second half and extra time, said the goal meant little after a painful loss. "It's a great disappointment, we could have achieved something very big," the 24-year old forward told a news conference. "It was a beautiful goal and I am always proud to score for my country, but we are out." Gaping goal Poland dominated the first half and should have gone ahead inside the first minute, when Arkadiusz Milik sent his shot over a gaping goal, following a calamitous defensive mix-up. With striker Robert Lewandowski subdued, the Poles created had to rely on chances created by livewire left winger Kamil Grosicki and the impressive Blaszczykowski on the other flank. Switzerland captain Stephan Lichsteiner could not keep up with Grosicki, who fired over the bar from 18 metres after a clever run through the middle. Blaszczykowski broke the deadlock with a composed finish from 10 metres after a darting run by Grosicki and a dummy from Milik gave the winger time and space to pick his spot. With Shaqiri and striker Haris Seferovic stifled by Poland’s rock-solid defence, the Swiss created little in the opening period despite roaring “Go Suisse” chants by their supporters. They came out with renewed purpose in the second half and Shaqiri finally showed a glimpse of his talent with a dazzling solo run and a stinging shot which Lukasz Fabianski parried. Blaszczykowski had Yann Sommer at full stretch as the pace increased with Switzerland throwing men forward. Shaqiri produced a moment of magic with one of the best goals of the tournament in the 82nd minute, twisting his body in the air to unleash a fierce shot, which gave Fabianski no chance as it went in off the post. Galvanised by the goal, Switzerland took the upper hand and dominated extra time, forcing several desperate clearances by a defence which had conceded in only one other match in 2016. Substitute Eren Derdiyok missed a sitter for the Swiss when Fabianski kept out his close-range header and they paid the price as a rattled Poland held on to force the shootout. (Reuters)

Poland beat Switzerland 5-4 on penalties

Switzerland winger Xherdan Shaqiri said he hoped sportswear maker Puma &quot;doesn&#39;t make condoms&quot; after several Swiss players ended their Euro 2016 match with France with shredded jerseys.<br />
<br />
The German company blamed a material flaw after four Swiss players -- Admir Mehmedi, Breel Embolo, Blerim Dzemaili and Granit Xhaka -- had to change their shirts in the first half of the goalless draw in Lille on Sunday.<br />
<br />
Recent Arsenal recruit Xhaka had to change his shirt again in the second half.<br />
<br />
&quot;I hope Puma doesn&#39;t make condoms,&quot; Shaqiri told Switzerland&#39;s SRF broadcaster.<br />
<br />
Former England striker Gary Lineker took the opportunity to poke fun on Twitter, writing: &quot;Swiss team&#39;s Puma shirts tearing like paper. Adidas ball bursting. You can never rely on German efficiency!&quot;<br />
<br />
During the same match, the Adidas ball used burst in a tackle by Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami.<br />
<br />
In a statement, Puma said that &quot;our five Puma teams have played 10 games at Euro 2016 before this without experiencing this problem&quot;.<br />
<br />
It later followed up to say that, in all, seven jerseys were ripped Sunday in &quot;grabbing and tugging by French opponents&quot; in the European Championship match.<br />
<br />
It said its investigation had found that &quot;there was a faulty batch of material in which the yarn was damaged during production&quot;.<br />
<br />
It blamed incorrect application of heat and pressure in the manufacturing process in a workshop in Turkey and promised that &quot;there will not be a repetition&quot; of the flaw.<br />
<br />
Puma is also the supplier for the teams of Austria, Czech Republic, Italy and Slovakia.<br />
<br />
All of them had &quot;confirmed that they had no problems of this kind and are very satisfied with the quality, functionality and design of the shirts,&quot; said the company.<br />
<br />
&quot;Puma regrets the incident and apologises to the Swiss Football Association and its players,&quot; it added.<br />
<br />
The Swiss shirts will be needed for at least one more match as the team has qualified for the second round.<br />
<br />
Puma&#39;s German rival Adidas said today that it had agreed a four-year deal to remain kit supplier to Germany until 2022, worth more than 50 million euros ($56.5 million) a year.<br />
<br />
The agreement with the world champions came in the face of competition from US giant Nike for the prestigious contract.<br />
(AFP)

Puma blamed for material flaw after four Swiss players had to change their shirts in the first half of the goalless draw in Lille on Sunday

Switzerland winger Xherdan Shaqiri said he hoped sportswear maker Puma "doesn't make condoms" after several Swiss players ended their Euro 2016 match with France with shredded jerseys. The German company blamed a material flaw after four Swiss players -- Admir Mehmedi, Breel Embolo, Blerim Dzemaili and Granit Xhaka -- had to change their shirts in the first half of the goalless draw in Lille on Sunday. Recent Arsenal recruit Xhaka had to change his shirt again in the second half. "I hope Puma doesn't make condoms," Shaqiri told Switzerland's SRF broadcaster. Former England striker Gary Lineker took the opportunity to poke fun on Twitter, writing: "Swiss team's Puma shirts tearing like paper. Adidas ball bursting. You can never rely on German efficiency!" During the same match, the Adidas ball used burst in a tackle by Swiss midfielder Valon Behrami. In a statement, Puma said that "our five Puma teams have played 10 games at Euro 2016 before this without experiencing this problem". It later followed up to say that, in all, seven jerseys were ripped Sunday in "grabbing and tugging by French opponents" in the European Championship match. It said its investigation had found that "there was a faulty batch of material in which the yarn was damaged during production". It blamed incorrect application of heat and pressure in the manufacturing process in a workshop in Turkey and promised that "there will not be a repetition" of the flaw. Puma is also the supplier for the teams of Austria, Czech Republic, Italy and Slovakia. All of them had "confirmed that they had no problems of this kind and are very satisfied with the quality, functionality and design of the shirts," said the company. "Puma regrets the incident and apologises to the Swiss Football Association and its players," it added. The Swiss shirts will be needed for at least one more match as the team has qualified for the second round. Puma's German rival Adidas said today that it had agreed a four-year deal to remain kit supplier to Germany until 2022, worth more than 50 million euros ($56.5 million) a year. The agreement with the world champions came in the face of competition from US giant Nike for the prestigious contract. (AFP)

?'I hope Puma don't make condoms' says Shaqiri

France ended the group stage of Euro 2016 in the position they wanted but their coach still seems to be looking for the right formula to bring the best out of a team with high expectations.<br />
<br />
Didier Deschamps has been tinkering with the team formula since the start of the tournament, making five changes for Sunday&#39;s goalless draw with Switzerland that allowed the host nation to win their group.<br />
<br />
France, who have plenty of talent up front, showed potential in the second half against Albania and in the first against Switzerland but they are yet to produce a full-match performance suggesting they could trouble the big guns.<br />
<br />
All they have done so far is win one of the weakest groups in the tournament and it remains to be seen how their back four, arguably their weakest point, will hold against more dangerous opponents.<br />
<br />
An astute tactician, Deschamps surprised many observers when he left midfielder Paul Pogba and striker Antoine Griezmann, regarded as France&#39;s most dangerous weapons, on the bench for the opening half against Albania.<br />
<br />
With his side struggling in a 4-2-3-1 formation, the coach reacted swiftly by sending on Pogba, and then Griezmann and reverting to a 4-3-3 system that eventually wore down Albania&#39;s defence.<br />
<br />
There was another surprise on Sunday when Dimitri Payet, who was instrumental in France&#39;s first two wins with a great goal in each, started on the bench, leaving his spot in the starting 11 to Kingsley Coman.<br />
<br />
Deschamps will have been pleased with a few things he saw against Switzerland, notably the fact that Pogba, who was all over the pitch in the first half, showed his class at last after subdued displays in his first two outings.<br />
<br />
With Pogba in that form and more of the same from Payet, France, will now almost certainly keep relying on a 4-3-3 formation which is working much better for them, and could step up a gear in the knockout stages.<br />
<br />
The pair of Laurent Koscielny and Adil Rami now looking safer after showing signs of nerves in warm-up games and against Romania, the defence is less of a worry for Deschamps, even if left back Patrice Evra is looking his age and might be targeted by opponents to come.<br />
<br />
Deschamps, who captained France to victory at the 1998 World Cup and at the European Championship two years later, has a reputation for changing everything he touches into gold.<br />
<br />
He&#39;s not quite at that level yet at this tournament but there are a few signs suggesting he is moving in the right direction.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)

The win ensured that the host nation ended at the top of their group

France ended the group stage of Euro 2016 in the position they wanted but their coach still seems to be looking for the right formula to bring the best out of a team with high expectations. Didier Deschamps has been tinkering with the team formula since the start of the tournament, making five changes for Sunday's goalless draw with Switzerland that allowed the host nation to win their group. France, who have plenty of talent up front, showed potential in the second half against Albania and in the first against Switzerland but they are yet to produce a full-match performance suggesting they could trouble the big guns. All they have done so far is win one of the weakest groups in the tournament and it remains to be seen how their back four, arguably their weakest point, will hold against more dangerous opponents. An astute tactician, Deschamps surprised many observers when he left midfielder Paul Pogba and striker Antoine Griezmann, regarded as France's most dangerous weapons, on the bench for the opening half against Albania. With his side struggling in a 4-2-3-1 formation, the coach reacted swiftly by sending on Pogba, and then Griezmann and reverting to a 4-3-3 system that eventually wore down Albania's defence. There was another surprise on Sunday when Dimitri Payet, who was instrumental in France's first two wins with a great goal in each, started on the bench, leaving his spot in the starting 11 to Kingsley Coman. Deschamps will have been pleased with a few things he saw against Switzerland, notably the fact that Pogba, who was all over the pitch in the first half, showed his class at last after subdued displays in his first two outings. With Pogba in that form and more of the same from Payet, France, will now almost certainly keep relying on a 4-3-3 formation which is working much better for them, and could step up a gear in the knockout stages. The pair of Laurent Koscielny and Adil Rami now looking safer after showing signs of nerves in warm-up games and against Romania, the defence is less of a worry for Deschamps, even if left back Patrice Evra is looking his age and might be targeted by opponents to come. Deschamps, who captained France to victory at the 1998 World Cup and at the European Championship two years later, has a reputation for changing everything he touches into gold. He's not quite at that level yet at this tournament but there are a few signs suggesting he is moving in the right direction. (Reuters)

France home and dry after goalless draw with Switzerland

Romania face mounting injury problems ahead of their decisive Euro 2016 tie with Albania following a bruising 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Wednesday. The result means Anghel Iordanescu&rsquo;s men can still qualify for the last 16 from Group A, provided they can win against tournament debutants Albania on Sunday.<br />
<br />
However, Romania&rsquo;s prospects appear grim after central midfielder Mihai Pintilii and talismanic left back Razvan Rat hobbled off with injuries at Parc des Princes on Wednesday night.<br />
<br />
&ldquo;Pintilii has some physical problems. I don&rsquo;t know if he will be ready for the next game,&rdquo; Romania coach Anghel Iordanescu told a news conference. &ldquo;Rat asked to be substituted. It&rsquo;s difficult to say whether he will play.&rdquo;<br />
<br />
Iordanescu, in his third stint in charge of the national team, said Rat&rsquo;s second-half replacement Steliano Filip was also hurt, while goal scorer Bogdan Stancu was suffering from muscle pains.<br />
<br />
Romania began well against Switzerland, taking the lead through Stancu&rsquo;s 18th-minute penalty, but they tired after half-time as the Swiss equalised via Admir Mehmedi&rsquo;s fierce 57th-minute half-volley. The Swiss continued to push for a winner that would have guaranteed Vladimir Petkovic&rsquo;s men a place in the knockout rounds, but it was not to be.<br />
<br />
&ldquo;We went through two completely opposite halves. First half we controlled the ball, linked play and &hellip; created some other chances,&rdquo; added Iordanescu. &ldquo;We suffered a lot during the second half and were facing huge pressure from Switzerland.&rdquo;<br />
<br />
Switzerland again lacked ruthlessness in front of goal, converting only one of their 19 attempts, of which six were on target.<br />
<br />
Striker Haris Seferovic, who has struggled at Eintracht Frankfurt this season, wasted two simple chances in the first half. The effort from the rest of the team also seemed patchy.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
&ldquo;I can&rsquo;t say we&rsquo;re very happy with the result,&rdquo; said man-of-the-match Granit Xhaka. &ldquo;It was one of the best performances our national team has shown, we have created so many chances but unfortunately we couldn&rsquo;t win because we didn&rsquo;t finish.&rdquo;<br />
<br />
A point against France in their final group match would lift Switzerland to five points, guaranteeing a top-two finish.<br />
(Reuters)

Central midfielder Mihai Pintilii and left back Razvan Rat had to hobble off the field

Romania face mounting injury problems ahead of their decisive Euro 2016 tie with Albania following a bruising 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Wednesday. The result means Anghel Iordanescu’s men can still qualify for the last 16 from Group A, provided they can win against tournament debutants Albania on Sunday. However, Romania’s prospects appear grim after central midfielder Mihai Pintilii and talismanic left back Razvan Rat hobbled off with injuries at Parc des Princes on Wednesday night. “Pintilii has some physical problems. I don’t know if he will be ready for the next game,” Romania coach Anghel Iordanescu told a news conference. “Rat asked to be substituted. It’s difficult to say whether he will play.” Iordanescu, in his third stint in charge of the national team, said Rat’s second-half replacement Steliano Filip was also hurt, while goal scorer Bogdan Stancu was suffering from muscle pains. Romania began well against Switzerland, taking the lead through Stancu’s 18th-minute penalty, but they tired after half-time as the Swiss equalised via Admir Mehmedi’s fierce 57th-minute half-volley. The Swiss continued to push for a winner that would have guaranteed Vladimir Petkovic’s men a place in the knockout rounds, but it was not to be. “We went through two completely opposite halves. First half we controlled the ball, linked play and … created some other chances,” added Iordanescu. “We suffered a lot during the second half and were facing huge pressure from Switzerland.” Switzerland again lacked ruthlessness in front of goal, converting only one of their 19 attempts, of which six were on target. Striker Haris Seferovic, who has struggled at Eintracht Frankfurt this season, wasted two simple chances in the first half. The effort from the rest of the team also seemed patchy. “I can’t say we’re very happy with the result,” said man-of-the-match Granit Xhaka. “It was one of the best performances our national team has shown, we have created so many chances but unfortunately we couldn’t win because we didn’t finish.” A point against France in their final group match would lift Switzerland to five points, guaranteeing a top-two finish. (Reuters)

Romania face injury woes after draw with Switzerland

Police in Geneva increased security checks around the Swiss city&#39;s Cointrin airport today after receiving information from French police about a possible bomb threat.<br />
<br />
Preventive security measures were under way around the airport, the police said on their Facebook page, and would continue for an indefinite period. Officers armed with machine guns were on duty around the airport, which straddles the Swiss border with France, after Geneva police acted on unspecified information from their French counterparts.<br />
<br />
Airport officials said the alert was triggered by an anonymous telephone call, without giving further details. &quot;There was a bomb alert,&quot; a security source in the Swiss city told Reuters.<br />
<br />
There was also heightened security on the French side of the border. &quot;The investigation will determine the facts, but it&#39;s not in our hands.<br />
<br />
The French investigators will keep us informed,&quot; Geneva police spokesman Guillaume Gentil told Reuters. &quot;The situation at the airport is calm.&quot;<br />
<br />
France has been on high security alert after a series of attacks, including the murder of a Catholic priest during a church service in Normandy, northern France by knife-wielding assailants on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
The heightened security closed most airport entrances, with armed officers checking the documents of visitors but airport officials said the airport remained open and was functioning normally.<br />
<br />
Airport spokesman Bertrand Staempfli advised passengers to arrive early given delays due to extra checks but said there were no serious problems with access.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)<br />
&nbsp;

Geneva airport officials reacted to a bomb alert triggered by unspecified information from their French counterparts

Police in Geneva increased security checks around the Swiss city's Cointrin airport today after receiving information from French police about a possible bomb threat. Preventive security measures were under way around the airport, the police said on their Facebook page, and would continue for an indefinite period. Officers armed with machine guns were on duty around the airport, which straddles the Swiss border with France, after Geneva police acted on unspecified information from their French counterparts. Airport officials said the alert was triggered by an anonymous telephone call, without giving further details. "There was a bomb alert," a security source in the Swiss city told Reuters. There was also heightened security on the French side of the border. "The investigation will determine the facts, but it's not in our hands. The French investigators will keep us informed," Geneva police spokesman Guillaume Gentil told Reuters. "The situation at the airport is calm." France has been on high security alert after a series of attacks, including the murder of a Catholic priest during a church service in Normandy, northern France by knife-wielding assailants on Tuesday. The heightened security closed most airport entrances, with armed officers checking the documents of visitors but airport officials said the airport remained open and was functioning normally. Airport spokesman Bertrand Staempfli advised passengers to arrive early given delays due to extra checks but said there were no serious problems with access. (Reuters)

Geneva police tighten security at Cointrin airport after French tip-off

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today decided not to hit Russia with a blanket ban for the Rio Games over state-run doping, but said each sports federation needed to establish a competitor&#39;s individual eligibility.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Federations &quot;should carry out an individual analysis of each athlete&#39;s anti-doping record, taking into account only reliable adequate international tests, and the specificities of the athlete&#39;s sport and its rules, in order to ensure a level playing field,&quot; the IOC said in a statement.<br />
<br />
It comes after the IOC held showdown talks on whether to ban Russia from the Rio Games over rampant doping that sparked the Olympic movement&#39;s worst crisis in decades.<br />
<br />
The Russian athletics team was already banned from Rio for state-sponsored doping.<br />
<br />
An independent report last week for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Russia&#39;s sports ministry directed a vast doping programme with support from the state intelligence agency that saw thousands of tainted urine samples destroyed or swapped for clean ones.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The cheating affected 30 sports and went on during the 2014 Sochi Winter Games and other major Olympic and international events, according to the WADA report last week by Canadian law professor Richard McLaren.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The Games begin on August 5.<br />
<br />
(AFP)&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;

This comes after the International Olympic Committee held showdown talks on whether to ban Russia from the Rio Games over rampant doping

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today decided not to hit Russia with a blanket ban for the Rio Games over state-run doping, but said each sports federation needed to establish a competitor's individual eligibility. Federations "should carry out an individual analysis of each athlete's anti-doping record, taking into account only reliable adequate international tests, and the specificities of the athlete's sport and its rules, in order to ensure a level playing field," the IOC said in a statement. It comes after the IOC held showdown talks on whether to ban Russia from the Rio Games over rampant doping that sparked the Olympic movement's worst crisis in decades. The Russian athletics team was already banned from Rio for state-sponsored doping. An independent report last week for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Russia's sports ministry directed a vast doping programme with support from the state intelligence agency that saw thousands of tainted urine samples destroyed or swapped for clean ones. The cheating affected 30 sports and went on during the 2014 Sochi Winter Games and other major Olympic and international events, according to the WADA report last week by Canadian law professor Richard McLaren. The Games begin on August 5. (AFP)

No blanket ban for Russia for Rio games: IOC

An airplane powered solely by the sun landed safely in Seville in Spain early today after an almost three-day flight across the Atlantic from New York in one of the longest legs of the first ever fuel-less flight around the world.<br />
<br />
The single-seat Solar Impulse 2 touched down shortly after 7.30 a.m. local time in Seville after leaving John F. Kennedy International Airport at about 2.30 a.m. EDT on June 20.<br />
<br />
The flight of just over 71 hours was the 15th leg of the round-the-world journey by the plane piloted in turns by Swiss aviators Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg.<br />
<br />
&quot;Oh-la-la, absolutely perfect,&quot; Piccard said after landing, thanking his engineering crew for their efforts.<br />
<br />
With a cruising speed of around 70 kilometres an hour (43 miles per hour), similar to an average car, the plane has more than 17,0000 solar cells built in to wings with a span bigger than that of a Boeing 747.<br />
<br />
(Reuters)

The flight of just over 71 hours was the 15th leg of the round-the-world journey piloted by Bertrand Piiccard and Andre Borschbe

An airplane powered solely by the sun landed safely in Seville in Spain early today after an almost three-day flight across the Atlantic from New York in one of the longest legs of the first ever fuel-less flight around the world. The single-seat Solar Impulse 2 touched down shortly after 7.30 a.m. local time in Seville after leaving John F. Kennedy International Airport at about 2.30 a.m. EDT on June 20. The flight of just over 71 hours was the 15th leg of the round-the-world journey by the plane piloted in turns by Swiss aviators Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg. "Oh-la-la, absolutely perfect," Piccard said after landing, thanking his engineering crew for their efforts. With a cruising speed of around 70 kilometres an hour (43 miles per hour), similar to an average car, the plane has more than 17,0000 solar cells built in to wings with a span bigger than that of a Boeing 747. (Reuters)

Solar plane lands in Spain after three-day Atlantic crossing

Switzerland opens the world&#39;s longest and deepest rail tunnel through the heart of the Alps on Wednesday in an engineering marvel that stands as a symbol of European unity at a time of increasing fragmentation.<br />
<br />
The 57.1-km (35.5 mile)-long Gotthard Base Tunnel, 17 years under construction and designed to last a century, is part of a 23 billion Swiss franc infrastructure project to speed passengers and cargo by rail under the mountain chain that divides Europe&#39;s north and south.<br />
<br />
Typically Swiss, the project that federal transport office director Peter Fueglistaler called &quot;a masterpiece of timing, cost and policy&quot; came in on schedule and on budget.<br />
<br />
High-speed trains will whisk passengers in 17 minutes through a passage that took days until the first Alpine rail tunnel opened in 1882. Around 260 freight trains and 65 passenger trains will traverse the two-tube tunnel daily once final testing ends later this year.<br />
<br />
The Swiss, as a rule rail fanatics, are throwing a party to mark the event that will draw the leaders of all its neighboring countries in a show of European solidarity.<br />
<br />
&quot;It is just part of the Swiss identity,&quot; Fueglistaler said of the Swiss fondness for major engineering feats. &quot;For us, conquering the Alps is like the Dutch exploring the oceans.&quot;<br />
<br />
The tunnel along Europe&#39;s main rail line that connects the ports of Rotterdam in the north to Genoa in the south snakes through the mountains as much as 2.3 km below daylight and through rock as hot as 46 degrees Celsius (114.8&deg;F).<br />
<br />
The rail route goes over the pass now in a series of loops and tunnels. The new flat route means even heavy trains will need only one locomotive rather than two or three.<br />
<br />
Engineers had to dig and blast through 73 kinds of rock as hard as granite and as soft as sugar. Nine workers died.<br />
<br />
Swiss voters -- despite opposition at times from the government and parliament -- supported the gargantuan rail project in a series of binding referendums in the 1990s.<br />
<br />
Fittingly, the first ones to travel the tunnel at the official opening will be 500 lucky winners plus guests from the 130,000 who entered a ticket lottery for the inaugural trip.<br />
<br />
The overall project includes the Loetschberg rail tunnel that has already opened, the Cereti tunnel still being built and renovations to make rail tunnels at least 4 meters high at the corners to be able to handle big freight containers. Work is due to finish in 2020.<br />
<br />
The mammoth rail venture is being financed by value-added and fuel taxes, road charges on heavy vehicles and state loans that are due to be repaid within a decade.<br />
<br />
Major contractors included Alpiq, Balfour Beatty, Thales and Heitkamp.<br />
<br />
(Editing by Richard Balmforth)

Construction took two decades, will provide high-speed rail link under the Swiss Alps between northern and southern Europe

Switzerland opens the world's longest and deepest rail tunnel through the heart of the Alps on Wednesday in an engineering marvel that stands as a symbol of European unity at a time of increasing fragmentation. The 57.1-km (35.5 mile)-long Gotthard Base Tunnel, 17 years under construction and designed to last a century, is part of a 23 billion Swiss franc infrastructure project to speed passengers and cargo by rail under the mountain chain that divides Europe's north and south. Typically Swiss, the project that federal transport office director Peter Fueglistaler called "a masterpiece of timing, cost and policy" came in on schedule and on budget. High-speed trains will whisk passengers in 17 minutes through a passage that took days until the first Alpine rail tunnel opened in 1882. Around 260 freight trains and 65 passenger trains will traverse the two-tube tunnel daily once final testing ends later this year. The Swiss, as a rule rail fanatics, are throwing a party to mark the event that will draw the leaders of all its neighboring countries in a show of European solidarity. "It is just part of the Swiss identity," Fueglistaler said of the Swiss fondness for major engineering feats. "For us, conquering the Alps is like the Dutch exploring the oceans." The tunnel along Europe's main rail line that connects the ports of Rotterdam in the north to Genoa in the south snakes through the mountains as much as 2.3 km below daylight and through rock as hot as 46 degrees Celsius (114.8°F). The rail route goes over the pass now in a series of loops and tunnels. The new flat route means even heavy trains will need only one locomotive rather than two or three. Engineers had to dig and blast through 73 kinds of rock as hard as granite and as soft as sugar. Nine workers died. Swiss voters -- despite opposition at times from the government and parliament -- supported the gargantuan rail project in a series of binding referendums in the 1990s. Fittingly, the first ones to travel the tunnel at the official opening will be 500 lucky winners plus guests from the 130,000 who entered a ticket lottery for the inaugural trip. The overall project includes the Loetschberg rail tunnel that has already opened, the Cereti tunnel still being built and renovations to make rail tunnels at least 4 meters high at the corners to be able to handle big freight containers. Work is due to finish in 2020. The mammoth rail venture is being financed by value-added and fuel taxes, road charges on heavy vehicles and state loans that are due to be repaid within a decade. Major contractors included Alpiq, Balfour Beatty, Thales and Heitkamp. (Editing by Richard Balmforth)

World's longest, deepest rail tunnel opens in Switzerland

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